Rhino beetle’s horn may be cheap

Males’ outrageous head spikes may not have much cost

CHARLESTON, S.C. — While the spiked horns on rhinoceros beetles may look like masculine sacrifice for the sake of huge weapons, the protrusions may not be such a drag after all.

Male Trypoxylus dichotomus beetles grow upswept rhino-style horns with forked tips that they use in struggles to flip rivals off trees where females feed.